Need help....any info?

[jb4short]

I'm thinking of buying a truck but something doesn't add up. I am hoping someone can enlighten me or offer their thoughts.

The truck is a '73 shortbed stepside 2wd with a 350 column shift automatic. It's got 5 lug wheels and it's completely rust free.

Here's the rub: The VIN from the title decodes as a 3/4 ton 454 4bbl (CCZ243F444644)

Did they make C20 shortbed with a 454? Seems like that combination would want to swap ends when you get on the gas. If the truck is (was) what the VIN says someone changed the suspension and motor but bolted plywood over the bed wood. This just doesn't add up to me but I don't know these trucks that well.

Any thoughts?

[Jonboy]

They did make a 1/2 ton 2wd 454 shortbed. With all 235 HP, it wouldn't swap ends as much as you might think.

I would bet the cab was swapped rather than everything else.

[boatpuller]

your the second guy in just a few days with the same vin question. ccz is chevy,,,,2wd,,,,,z stands for diesel.i was in that same boat wondering what the heck ? i have a former diesel too.does it have hydoboost brake system? that's another giveaway.

[hiway]

73 diesel? Sounds like a cab swap.

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by hiway

73 diesel? Sounds like a cab swap.

your on the ball there arky..... .....that one slipped right by me. z is diesel so something got swapped

[jb4short]

CCZ243F444644
Model Year 1973
Division (unknown code)
Chassis 2 Wheel Drive
Body Style Pickup
Series 3/4-Ton
Engine V8-454 4 bbl.
Assembly Plant Flint, MI
Sequential Number 444644

This is from American Classic's decoder and I ran it on another site w/same result. I don't doubt that something was swapped; but a 5 lug 350? I hadn't even thought of a cab swap.

[boatpuller]

your probably right.z may have been diesel in 79-80,but 454 in 73.i'm gonna check around.

[jb4short]

This is what I found. Cab swap makes more sense than suspension AND engine swap

1973-1975
Q=250 6 cyl.
T=292 6cyl.
X=307 V8
V=350-2
Y=350-4
U=400-4 V8
Z=454-4 V8

[boatpuller]

your info is right on.78-79 years the ccz was a diesel vin.in 73 it was 454.so it could be original cab.if it was a diesel it would have a hydroboost,unless that got changed to.

[jb4short]

that's the issue....there's no 454 in it and with a 3/4 ton VIN I don't think it should have the 5 lug wheels either. I wanted opinions because the title doesn't really seem to fit the truck and I don't know how common that is on these older trucks.

[Jonboy]

You are pretty much right on, according to the 1973 Chevy service manual. Is the SPID label still in the glove box, by any chance?

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by Tri-ProAutomotive

Did they make C20 shortbed with a 454?

There is no such thing as a 73-87 C20 shortbed, or even a K20 shortbed.

EDIT: From GM that is...but there are plenty of ppl who have made their own.

[longhorn71]

or was it a vin and title swap?

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by hiway

73 diesel? Sounds like a cab swap.

i think hiway hit the nail on the head.

[knightlife]

Originally Posted by Tri-ProAutomotive

This is what I found. Cab swap makes more sense than suspension AND engine swap

1973-1975
Q=250 6 cyl.
T=292 6cyl.
X=307 V8
V=350-2
Y=350-4
U=400-4 V8
Z=454-4 V8

LMC catalog...

[jb4short]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

There is no such thing as a 73-87 C20 shortbed, or even a K20 shortbed.

Good to know. I have the title in hand with that VIN and this is the truck

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by Tri-ProAutomotive

Good to know. I have the title in hand with that VIN and this is the truck

That is a good looking truck.

I once saw a 80 something short bed fleetside once on a car lot, it was a 2wd truck with five lug wheels...and it had 3/4 ton 4wd emblems on the fenders...I looked at it because it was soo clean...but thought to myself "Gee, why in the hell wouldn't they change out the emblems on the fenders if they swapped fenders?". You gotta remember, these trucks are now 20-34 years old...leaving the door wide open for owners to modify, repair these trucks, and possibly confuse the hell out of future owners.

Oh, one more thing. That truck does not have a 73 grill in it...and if it has rain gutters above the doors, then those won't be factory for a 73 either. Also, the front headlight bezels are 79-80 units, and the front signals should be amber, not clear. This truck has been messed with a lot, not that it is a bad truck, but there is a lot that has been changed. I bet of you posted pics of the inside I could point out stuff in there too...especially if it has had a cab swap.

[NitroMike]

Jon,

Looks like a good start. Hey, I turned out okay and I have a very questionable past and ancestory!

[jb4short]

Originally Posted by NitroMike

Jon,

Looks like a good start. Hey, I turned out okay and I have a very questionable past and ancestory!

LOL...I'm still working on the "Denying I have 27 year old kids" mod myself

[jb4short]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

That is a good looking truck.

I once saw a 80 something short bed fleetside once on a car lot, it was a 2wd truck with five lug wheels...and it had 3/4 ton 4wd emblems on the fenders...I looked at it because it was soo clean...but thought to myself "Gee, why in the hell wouldn't they change out the emblems on the fenders if they swapped fenders?". You gotta remember, these trucks are now 20-34 years old...leaving the door wide open for owners to modify, repair these trucks, and possibly confuse the hell out of future owners.

Oh, one more thing. That truck does not have a 73 grill in it...and if it has rain gutters above the doors, then those won't be factory for a 73 either. Also, the front headlight bezels are 79-80 units, and the front signals should be amber, not clear. This truck has been messed with a lot, not that it is a bad truck, but there is a lot that has been changed. I bet of you posted pics of the inside I could point out stuff in there too...especially if it has had a cab swap.

My father went and looked at the truck for me; and this IS the truck. I'm worried that the VIN tag has been changed to match a title because this doesn't appear to be the truck the title says it is.

Thanks for the information!

[87 STEPPER]

Verry nice looking stepper there!

Now i'm as confused as the truck is, Are you the new owner or not?

[jb4short]

[QUOTE=87 STEPPER;2118542]Verry nice looking stepper there!

Now i'm as confused as the truck is, Are you the new owner or not?[/QUOTE]

I was going to send a check down to my father and have him pick it up for me then register it here in NJ and fly down with the plates and drive it back. I've talked to the "Owner" several times on the phone and he faxed me the title to do any research I wanted to do. BTW he's the second owner since '05that hasn't applied for a new title.....it's still in the name of the woman that owned it in '05

[87 STEPPER]

Hummmm!

I dont know about N.J. But in Fl. you have to take the vehicle and the title to a cop shop and they have to visually check the vin #'s of both and issue a document that lets you apply for a new title in your name and lets you register it in your name as well.

They don't even know what there looking at anyways but there could be a problem.

If you don't mind me asking how much is the guy asking for it?

[jb4short]

Originally Posted by 87 STEPPER

Hummmm!

I dont know about N.J. But in Fl. you have to take the vehicle and the title to a cop shop and they have to visually check the vin #'s of both and issue a document that lets you apply for a new title in your name and lets you register it in your name as well.

They don't even know what there looking at anyways but there could be a problem.

If you don't mind me asking how much is the guy asking for it?

3K

[Srubydo1986]

Well if you what to know if alot has been done to it you could always look for the vin on the frame. (that year did have one right) problem is you not were the truck is so you cant just check it.

Either or for 3k and that clean of a truck id say go for it. With virginia law all i need is a title, truck doesnt have to be with me at dmv.